Systems and methods for enhanced display of 411 information on a mobile handset

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for automated retrieval of digital content from vendors upon occurrence of a 411 call event from a mobile device. In an example method, a message is sent from the mobile device based on the detected 411 call event. A server receives the sent message, compiles associated digital content based on information in the received message, and sends the digital content to the mobile device. The mobile device outputs/displays at least a portion of the received digital content to the user soon after the occurrence of the 411 call event.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to 411 calls and, more specifically, toenhanced information delivery based on a 411 call event.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a 411 operator or Directory Assistance (DA) is dialed on a wirelesshandset, carriers or their 411 service providers (DAs) can optionallyprovide a Short Message Service (SMS) message to the mobile handset overan SMS network from the operator's station containing the requestedcaller information, mapping information, etc. to supplement the expectedoral delivery and connection of the caller to the requested number. Forexample, the SMS message may contain the information “John Doe,206-555-1212” embedded in an SMS message confirmation of the inquiry.

While useful, the method of delivering information to the subscriber viabasic SMS is constrained by technical limitations of the SMS. Only textinformation may be sent, which is limited to 160-characters. Therefore,the prior capabilities have some limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention initiates a server lookup after a 411 call inorder to display the listing information in a graphical format andprovide additional information. The server lookup may be initiated by ashort message service (SMS), by an application-directed SMS (AD-SMS),which is hidden from the subscriber, or by the mobile device thatinitiated the call by detecting that “411” has been entered on thekeypad.

An example method detects an occurrence of a 411 call event from amobile device, sends a message from the mobile device based on thedetected 411 call event, receives digital content at the mobile devicefrom a server based on the sent message, and displays at least a portionof the received digital content on the mobile device.

In one aspect of the invention, the digital content includes at leastone of textual and graphical content. The textual and graphical contentincludes a coupon, operational hours information, a map image, websiteinformation or other interactive content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention aredescribed in detail below with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example mobile handset formed inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example process performed by the handsetshown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless/cellular system 20 that includes one ofmany mobile handsets 30, wireless/cellular nodes (also known as MobileSwitching Centers or MSCs) 46, a wireless network 44, a 411 operator orDirectory Assistance center (DA) 38, a Messaging Application Server(MAS) 52, one or more content providers 54 and a Short Message ServiceCenter (SMSC) 50. The handset 30 automatically determines if an incomingshort message service (SMS) message is received from the DA 38. If theSMS message is from the DA 38, the handset 30 requests the MAS 52 tosend content from the one or more content providers 54. The retrievedcontent is then sent to the handset 30 via the SMS message (the SMSC50).

In one embodiment, the content providers 54 are in data communicationwith the MAS 52 via a network 58, such as a public or private datanetwork. The MAS 52, the content providers 54, the SMSC 50 and the DA 38are preferably computer-based systems that automatically perform some orall of the processes described herein. In another embodiment, theinformation associated with the content providers 54 is previouslystored in databases associated with the MAS 52.

As shown in FIG. 2, an example of the mobile handset 30 includes aprocessor 60, output devices 62 (display(s) and/or speaker(s)), a userinterface 64, a communication device 66, and memory 68. An application72 is stored in the memory 68. When an SMS message is received, theprocessor 60 which is running the application 72 determines if thereceived SMS message is received from the DA 38 (e.g., formatted senderaddress information associated with the DA 38), then outputs an imageand/or sound to the user of the handset 30. The mobile handset 30 may bea cell phone, mobile device, VoIP device, portable data assistant (PDA),or any comparable device.

FIG. 3 shows an example process 100 performed by the handset 30. Firstat a block 104, the user/subscriber initiates a 411 query with anoperator at the DA 38. The 411 query includes a request for a phonenumber. At a block 106 the operator answers the query by finding therequested number (MDN), presents the findings to the subscriber (ifmultiple numbers are found), makes the connection, and sends an SMSmessage containing the requested MDN and/or associated listinginformation to the MAS 52 and/or the mobile handset 30. Options forfurther information are selected (or pre-configured). At a block 112,the MAS 52 obtains enhanced message information by retrieving theenhanced message information from the content provider 54 associatedwith the MDN or by using the XML containing the requested MDN andlisting information. Next at a block 114, the MAS 52 sends a hidden SMSmessage using an application-directed (on code division multiplexing(CDMA)) or a port-directed (on GSM) SMS to the mobile device 30. Whenthe SMS message containing the requested information is received by thesubscriber, the format of 411 information is detected by the application72 on the mobile handset 30, see decision block 118. If the SMS messageis determined to include content associated with a 411 query, theprocessor 60 outputs an image on the display 62, see block 122.

In one embodiment, a popup display appears immediately with mixed textand graphics containing the information from the 411 listingsupplemented by additional content, for example, items for subscriberinteraction, containing coupons, location and map information, websiteinformation, and/or call-back information. Certain or all of thereceived 411 information and/or the enhanced, additional contentreceived from the server may be store in the mobile device. For example,certain received 411 information pertaining to contact information maybe stored in the caller directory. Certain of the enhanced, additionalcontact may also be stored in and subsequently accessed by the mobiledevice. Such storage may be done by automatically displaying thereceived 411 information to the subscriber along with an option toaccept and store the received caller information on the mobile device,or to reject and discard it. In another embodiment the received 411information is automatically displayed and stored in the mobile device.

If the received SMS message is not 411 formatted, then the SMS messageis processed and presented, see block 120.

An advantage of the present invention is that the listing information isno longer limited to 160-characters. Moreover, the information displayedto the subscriber may contain additional information like hours ofoperation, payment options (i.e. Visa, Mastercard, Discovery),restaurant ratings, etc. The services described herein can be managed bythe mobile carrier itself, contracted DA services, messaging applicationservices, such as those offered by Cequint, Inc., or combinationsthereof. Depending on the subscriber's choices, a carrier supported SMSservice can direct the messages for delivery via SMS as contactinformation, as location and mapping information (for example, tointeract with applications such as Networks in Motion's Navigatorproduct), or as interactive content for advertising and retail services(for example, as provided by Cequint, Inc.'s IDML server).

The present invention allows for immediate delivery of 411 informationand at the same time, without further subscriber action required,integrates seamlessly a variety of messages to the mobile subscriber.Graphical content may be included to show a picture of the businessrelated to the listing, logos, and/or coupon offers. The content maysupport the integration of both ecommerce methods (e.g., Google AdSense,Amazon 1-click, EBay, etc.) and traditional retail advertising and sales(e.g., ad and brand placements, 800 numbers, etc.) on a single,automated screen display.

The present invention also allows integration of coupons and promotions,including software trials, with the display provided, and to engage inboth order and payment directly via software communicating with themobile device (e.g., PayPal or secured credit card transaction).

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, as noted above, many changes can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope ofthe invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferredembodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely byreference to the claims that follow.

1. A method comprising: detecting occurrence of a 411 call event from amobile device; sending a message from the mobile device based on thedetected 411 call event; receiving digital content at the mobile devicefrom a server based on the sent message; and displaying at least aportion of the received digital content on the mobile device.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the digital content comprises at least one oftextual or graphical content.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thetextual or graphical content comprises at least one of a coupon,operational hours information, a map image, website information orinteractive content.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the interactivecontent comprises ecommerce content.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinat least one of sending and receiving is performed using at least one ofa short message service (SMS), a coded application-directed SMS orsession initiated protocol (SIP).
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thedigital content comprises a phone number.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising automatically storing at least a portion of thereceived digital content on the mobile device.
 8. A mobile communicationdevice comprising: a means for detecting occurrence of a 411 call eventfrom a mobile device; a means for sending a message from the mobiledevice based on the detected 411 call event; a means for receivingdigital content at the mobile device from a server based on the sentmessage; and a means for displaying at least a portion of the receiveddigital content on the mobile device.
 9. The device of claim 8, whereinthe digital content comprises at least one of textual or graphicalcontent.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the textual or graphicalcontent comprises at least one of a coupon, operational hoursinformation, a map image, website information or interactive content.11. The device of claim 10, wherein the interactive content comprisesecommerce content.
 12. The device of claim 8, wherein the digitalcontent comprises a phone number.
 13. The device of claim 8, furthercomprising a means for automatically storing at least a portion of thereceived digital content on the mobile device.
 14. A mobilecommunication device comprising: a communication component configured toreceive a message associated with a 411 call event; a user interface;memory; and a processor in signal communication with the communicationcomponent, the user interface and the memory, the processor configuredto automatically determine if the received message is associated with a411 call event, automatically generate a message for output via thecommunication component when the message is determined to be associatedwith a 411 call event, and generate output information based on digitalcontent received via the communication component from a server based onthe generated message, wherein the user interface presents the generatedoutput information.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the digitalcontent comprises at least one of textual or graphical content.
 16. Thedevice of claim 15, wherein the textual or graphical content comprisesat least one of a coupon, operational hours information, a map image,website information or interactive content.
 17. The device of claim 16,wherein the interactive content comprises ecommerce content.
 18. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein the digital content comprises a phonenumber.
 19. The device of claim 14, wherein the processor is configuredto automatically store at least a portion of the received digitalcontent on the mobile device.